Manager replaced after weapons found at off-licence

An off-licence where police found a knife, a metal baseball bat and nitrous oxide canisters were found has been forced to change its manager.

Best One in Heywood, Rochdale, was raided by police and Trading Standards following intelligence about the alleged selling of drugs; handling of stolen goods; and sale of vapes to children, town hall documents state. Licensing papers reveal they found a knife, a metal baseball bat; criminal identifier gel spray; and nitrous oxide, during the raid on the Bridge Street premises, in March.

The licensing sub-committee met on May 7 to review the licence and decide whether they would alter the conditions for the off-licence.

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The meeting was told that Greater Manchester Police arrested the designated premises supervisor (DPS), Raja Ali, for possession of an offensive weapon; possession of a bladed article; possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation; and possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid.

Mr Ali has been interviewed and is currently released on bail. Following this incident, GMP asked Rochdale Council to review the premises licence.

Licensing papers read: "The review is being sought on the grounds that during a joint inspection involving GMP and the Council’s Trading Standards Team, officers had discovered at the premises an offensive weapon, a bladed article, Nitrous Oxide for wrongful inhalation and a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid, contrary to the promotion of the licensing objectives."

A police officer present at the hearing, at Number One Riverside, in Rochdale, explained the findings within the shop, then detailed that four single